RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan 28: Saudi Arabia's environmental police detained a citizen accused of violating the country's environmental laws while engaging in truffle hunting, a seasonal activity for the edible fungus. The arrest was made by the Special Forces for Environmental Security (SFES) after the man was found trespassing into a nature reserve in the north-eastern region of the country in search of truffles.

According to authorities, legal action has been taken against the individual for illegally entering the Royal Imam Turki bin Abdullah reserve. The cache of seized truffles was handed over to the relevant agencies. In Saudi Arabia, trespassing into protected zones can result in fines of up to SR10,000, and tampering with vegetation signboards is penalized with a fine of SR5,000, as outlined by SFES.

In addition to fines, the offender is responsible for covering the costs of repairing any resulting damage and may be required to pay unspecified compensations. Truffle collection, a popular hobby for picnickers, kicks off in January in rain-hit areas, primarily in the Northern Borders and Hail in north-western Saudi Arabia. Harvesters must exercise caution to avoid damaging the ripe fungus during collection.

Truffles, often referred to as the "daughter of thunder" due to their growth after heavy rains, are in high demand in Saudi Arabia following rainfall. The fungus market experiences robust activity in various regions, particularly in the Northern Borders. Considered a delicacy, different types of truffles are available in the Saudi market, with prices ranging from SR250 to SR600 per kilo, depending on the type and size.

Recent years have seen the organization of local festivals in several Saudi areas aimed at promoting truffles and highlighting the connection between this popular delicacy and the national heritage of the kingdom.